4/5 STARS

Initial Thoughts Upon Finishing

This is my second time around reading this collection of novellas and it’s just as heartbreaking as the first. I’m going to keep most of my thoughts from my first read in this review but tweak a few things from my most recent read. One thing is for certain, this was just as emotional a read the second time around. Sarah J Maas sure knows how to rip our hearts out.

The Assassin’s Blade

Consisting of five novellas, from pirates to mute assassins and deep betrayals Maas has covered everything in The Assassin’s Blade. There really are some super interesting little adventures, and the whole thing reads more like a complete book than a series of short stories, too. There are some very sad moments and there are some fantastic ones too that leave you whooping with delight. And the whole thing leads perfectly on to the beginning of Throne of Glass. I’m still glad I read it in a backwards order so to speak, however, because I think the revelations mean so much more that way. Usually, I’m not one to overly bother with the side stories – they’re often unnecessary and a money spinner – but I really felt that this book was a chance for all serious Thronians to quench their curiosity about Celaena’s past. And quench it, it did.

On re-reading this, I’m starting a re-read of the whole series and began with this book. This feeling of awe-striking revelations is dimmed a bit but it has 100% rekindled my love of the series. I can’t wait to continue on and I’m so excited to dive back into Celaena’s world having set myself up with a solid idea of who she is at the beginning of the series.

Celaena Pre-Chaol and Endovier

I think it’s fair to say she is an entirely different person for 98% of this book. Celaena is essentially a relatively horrible person lacking in humanity and overdosed on greed (but on re-reading, I’d say she’s not that different. She’s just matured and learned to use her violent streak in more useful ways). Whilst the first time I read this, when it was first published, I wasn’t so keen on this blade-swishing version of Celaena, I love her this time around. I think she’s a perfect bundle of hurt and madness and is primed and ready to go for a transformation throughout the rest of the series.

Arobynn Hamel

What. An. Asshole. I hate this guy. He made me so very, very angry. He’s a traitorous, lying little weasel who mocks and takes advantage of Celaena at every opportunity. Essentially, this whole story is about Celaena’s gullibleness as she falls for every single little trick he lays down for her. *Grr*. On re-reading, I very much so still agree with my angry opinions of Arobynn and am equally frustrated at Celaena for falling for all of his dirty little tricks.

Sam Cortland

*Cries*. There is nothing to be said. Chaol, you are half the man Sam was. *More Crying*.

Re-reading thoughts: there is definitely a lot of crying to be done regarding Sam’s revealed fate in this book.

Summary

Sigh. What can I say? This is an apt addition to the series as a testament to Celaena’s bravery for being able to face her past, I think Maas is a beautiful cruel author – and after reading so many of her books now, that’s what I’ve come to expect. I love this book, and I love the rest of the series. You simply have to read this if you’ve read the other books, you cannot not find out what really happened! I’m upset, but I’m satisfied. Claps for Sarah J Maas and her brilliance.

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